My Nonprofit Reviews

AlfiaW

My AFS exchange after high school was a life-changing experience that greatly broadened my perspective and contributed to my study and career choices later in life. For this reason I do donate to AFS. The application and interview process was thorough and they seemed intent on only sending kids abroad who were prepared for the experience. Thinking back on the kids who were on my trip, they were all very capable, psychologically robust people. I was sent information about my prospective family and about the country I was to visit before the trip. AFS was able to make a last-minute switch for me when it turned out that I couldn't go on a trip that was leaving on the day I was taking a test that couldn't be rescheduled. They also provided follow-up experiences. While my experience was good, on the way back I did learn that a number of my fellow exchangees had not had good experiences. Several of the females and one male had been used primarily as babysitters and househelp. Some complained that they were not taken out and given experience with other local youths and were denied trips around the area. I hope AFS has done more to improve education and recompense of host families so that this sort of thing will not occur.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

My grandmother lived with and wrote books about primates. She first introduced me to the IPPL over 20 years ago when she was a donor. I have been a donor for many years and am consistently impressed with the work IPPL does on behalf of abused primates both in the U.S. and abroad. Its magazine not only tells about work in the field, it provides explicit opportunities to effect change including detailed descriptions of what can be changed and the names and addresses of those to be contacted about the issue. Sometimes it even includes pre-addressed post cards! I have learned so much about primates around the world thanks to IPPL. One day I hope to visit the sanctuary in SC and to attend one of their conferences. Shirley McGreal and her staff personally sign holiday cards and thank you cards which is very nice touch too.